System and method for order fulfillment

ABSTRACT

A system and method for order fulfillment includes receiving an order for a plurality of items, initiating collection of the plurality of items for the order, detecting presence of a user at a selected one of a plurality of delivery locations when the plurality of items are ready for delivery, and initiating delivery of the items to the user at the selected delivery location.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/403,942, filed Aug. 17, 2021, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ORDERFULFILLMENT, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,587,035 on Feb. 21, 2023 (Atty.Dkt. No. CPML60-35322), which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/209,484, filed Dec. 4, 2018, entitled SYSTEM ANDMETHOD FOR ORDER FULFILLMENT, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,093,894 on Aug.17, 2021 (Atty. Dkt. No. CPML60-34429), which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/746,502, filed Jun. 22, 2015, entitledSYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ORDER FULFILLMENT, issued as U.S. patent Ser. No.10/147,068 on Dec. 4, 2018 (Atty. Dkt. No. CPML60-32709), which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/461,497, filed Aug.1, 2006, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ORDER FULFILLMENT, issued asU.S. Pat. No. 9,064,226 on Jun. 23, 2015 (Atty. Dkt. No. CPML60-32713),the specifications of which are incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the field of commerce and moreparticularly, to a system and method for order fulfillment.

BACKGROUND

Grocery stores, supercenters, and other fulfillment centers allow usersto shop inside the centers to purchase items. As centers expand in size,users spend more time in the center purchasing items. Additionally,larger centers located farther from established residential areasrequire a longer commute to and from the center. The user's time alsoincreases because parking lot sizes increase, which requires morewalking to and from the store and exposes the user to crime and otherelements. Therefore, current fulfillment centers result in decreasedconvenience, speed, and safety for the user.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, disadvantages and problemsassociated with fulfilling orders may be reduced or eliminated.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system andmethod for order fulfillment includes receiving an order for a pluralityof items, initiating collection of the plurality of items for the order,detecting presence of a user at a selected one of a plurality ofdelivery locations when the plurality of items are ready for delivery,and initiating delivery of the items to the user at the selecteddelivery location.

Certain embodiments of the invention may provide one or more technicaladvantages. A technical advantage of one embodiment includes a systemand method that provides for fulfilling orders quickly and efficiently.In a particular embodiment, the user remains in a vehicle during theorder fulfillment process. The system accommodates a variety of userorder input functions and a vehicle queue management technique thatexpedites fulfillment. The overall layout of the fulfillment centerprovides an efficient layout for item storage, retrieval, and deliveryto waiting users. An embodiment adapts these concepts to a drive throughgrocery fulfillment center. Therefore, a user spends less time andeffort in having an order fulfilled. Additionally, because the user doesnot go into the fulfillment center, the fulfillment center is not aslarge in size, which decreases the amount of real estate needed tofulfill orders. The requirement for less real estate allows fulfillmentcenters to be located closer to established, residential areas. Anothertechnical advantage provides the user with a safer environment whenpicking up an order. Because the user does not have to go into thefulfillment center, the user is not exposed to crime and other elements.

Certain embodiments of the invention may include none, some, or all ofthe above technical advantages. One or more other technical advantagesmay be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures,descriptions, and claims included herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and itsfeatures and advantages, reference is now made to the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a center that fulfills orders;

FIG. 2 illustrates a controller for the center;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for receiving an order; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for processing and fulfilling the order.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention and its advantages are bestunderstood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 4 , like numerals being usedfor like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a center 10 that fulfills orders for users 106.Center 10 includes readers 100, delivery locations 102, a queue 103, anda warehouse 104 that provide for order fulfillment. As each user 106enters queue 103, center 10 initiates fulfillment of an order associatedwith user 106. Center 10 fulfills orders for any suitable type of items,such as groceries, movies, clothes, or fast-food. Additionally, center10 adapts to any suitable drive through, such as a fast food drivethrough, a drive through for prescription fulfillment, or a drivethrough dry cleaners.

The layout of center 10 further facilitates efficient order fulfillment.User 106 enters center 10 through entrance 101. In an embodiment, center10 may have a single entrance 101 that accommodates a single user 106entering at a time. User 106 proceeds to delivery locations 102, withinentry lane 105, to receive the order. Delivery locations 102 eachaccommodate a single user 106. Each delivery location 102 includes areader 100 that identifies user 106 in the particular delivery location102. If delivery location 102 is not available, user 106 waits in queue103. From queue 103, user 106 proceeds to entry lane 105, which extendsfrom queue 103, and enters delivery location 102 to receive the order.User 106 exits center 10 by merging into exit lane 107, which leads user106 to exit 110. In the illustrated embodiment, queue 103, entry lane105, and exit lane 107 each have a width that accommodates a single user106.

User 106 represents a person, a person and an associated vehicle, anidentifier, or other instrumentality to interact with center 10 to placeand retrieve orders. Also, user 106 may be a delivery service that picksup multiple orders for different customers of the delivery service.

Reader 100 identifies user 106 and identifies the order associated withuser 106. Each user 106 includes an identifier 108 that communicateswith reader 100. Reader 100 and identifier 108 communicate using anysuitable technology, such as radio frequency, infrared, or opticaltechnology. Reader 100 includes any suitable mechanism that recognizesidentifier 108 and provides for the association of identifier 108 withstored information, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID)reader, an optical identification reader, a Bluetooth compatible reader,or a camera. Identifier 108 may include an RFID tag, a toll tag, anoptical identifier, a Bluetooth compatible device, a license plate, orother suitable identification that allows reader 100 to retrieveinformation to fulfill the order. For example, user 106 enters center 10in a vehicle with a license plate. If reader 100 is a camera, the camerareads the license plate to identify user 106. As another example, user106 enters center 10 in a vehicle that has a toll tag. If reader 100 isan RFID reader, reader 100 recognizes the radio frequency signal of thetoll tag and identifies user 106 based on the communication between thetoll tag and the RFID reader. As yet another example, user 106 carriesan infrared (IR) transmitter that communicates with an IR receiver,allowing the IR receiver to identify user 106.

In particular embodiments, center 10 includes multiple readers 100 toread identifiers 108 at different locations in queue 103 of center 10.Reader 100 a first reads identifier 108 near entrance 101 to identifyuser 106 arriving at center 10. Upon initially reading identifier 108 atreader 100 a, center 10 queues items in the order for fulfillment,initiates creation of a new account, and/or recognizes that user 106 hasnot previously placed an order and would like to place an in-personorder. The account information includes a name, a form of payment, orany suitable information that identifies user 106 and facilitates thefulfillment process.

Reader 100 b reads identifier 108 a second time to confirm the positionof user 106 in a specified delivery location 102. In an embodiment,reader 100 b reads identifier 108 a second time when user 106 entersdelivery location 102. Orders may include items user 106 desires toreceive. For example, center 10 fulfills grocery orders for items suchas eggs, milk, and coffee. Orders associated with user 106 may includeone or more orders. If the order includes more than one order, center 10selects the current order user 106 wants to receive or processes ordersin a particular sequence. The order may include any suitable informationto differentiate between a current order and other orders. For example,each order has an associated pick-up date and time that allows fordifferentiation between multiple orders.

As mentioned above, when initially reading identifier 108, center 10 mayinitiate creation of a new account. The creation of a new account occursif reader 100 does not recognize user 106 or identifier 108, or if user106 does not have identifier 108. Center 10 creates a new account at anysuitable point as user 106 proceeds to delivery location 102. Forexample, user 106 creates a new account and places an order when user106 arrives in delivery location 102. As additional examples, anattendant visits user 106 and creates an account and takes the orderwhile user 106 is in queue 103, or center 10 includes one or morestations 122 that allow user 106 to create a new account and place anorder. Station 122 includes a monitor, a touchpad, a credit card swipe,a keyboard, a speaker, any suitable component that facilitates accountcreation and order placement, and/or any suitable combination of thepreceding.

Center 10 may also accept an in-person order if center 10 does not havean order stored for user 106. User 106 places the in-person order atdelivery location 102, before arriving at delivery location 102, or atany suitable position in center 10. To place the in-person order, user106 interacts with station 122, an attendant, or other suitable devicethat provides the order to center 10. In an embodiment, stations 122associate with delivery location 102 and user 106 places the in-personorder at station 122 located at delivery location 102.

After proceeding through the first part of queue 103, user 106 entersinto an open delivery location 102 to receive the order. If user 106 isin a vehicle, an attendant may load items from the order into thevehicle while in delivery location 102. Delivery location 102 is of anysuitable size that allows user 106 to wait for an order or wait fordelivery location 102 closer to exit 110 to become available. Deliverylocations 102 may be situated in any suitable manner. For example,delivery locations 102 are parallel, allowing vehicles to pull intodelivery locations 102 side-by-side. As another example, deliverylocations 102 are at an angle. In the illustrated embodiment, theserially configured delivery locations 102 allow users 106 to remainend-to-end in a single line. Center 10 includes instructional signsand/or notifications to inform users 106 to continue moving forward asdelivery locations 102 open, as indicated by arrow 111. In theillustrated embodiment, delivery location 102 a is empty. Therefore,user 106 a enters into delivery location 102 a, and user 106 b entersinto delivery location 102 b. Any suitable configuration of deliverylocations 102 provides for parallel processing of the delivery of theorders. Therefore, user 106 may receive an order at the same time otherusers 106 receive their orders.

Upon receiving items from the order, user 106 proceeds to exit 110. Ifuser 106 is in delivery location 102 that is not directly in front ofexit 110, user 106 exits from delivery location 102 as indicated byarrow 112. When user 106 exits delivery location 102, another user 106directly behind delivery location 102 enters into delivery location 102or delivery location 102 remains empty. If user 106 is receiving anorder when the other delivery location 102 becomes available, user 106remains in the current delivery location 102. In a particularembodiment, user 106 stays in entry lane 105 and pulls up to occupyempty delivery locations 102 until the order is ready for delivery. Uponreceiving the order, user 106 pulls out of delivery location 102 intoexit lane 107 and exits center 10 through exit 110. The pull-up in entrylane 105 and pull-out using exit lane 107 ensure efficient delivery oforders while reducing the possibility of congestion or collision.

While in center 10, user 106 views communications 124. Communicationsinclude any suitable type of information, such as order status, ordernotification, or advertisements. For example, communications 124 appearin center 10 if user 106 cannot proceed directly to delivery location102 but waits in queue 103. As another example, user 106 viewscommunications 124 while waiting in delivery location 102. In anembodiment, communications 124 occupy a portion of delivery location 102and include generic advertisements, or targeted advertisements based onidentifying user 106 by reading identifier 108, and optionallyconsidering past transaction history or other information that profilesuser 106. Past transaction history includes the purchasing habits ofuser 106 to allow tailoring of communications 124 to the preferences ofuser 106. As another example, center 10 adjusts the amount of time todisplay communications 124 based on how long user 106 waits in queue 103or delivery location 102. Communications 124 appear in any suitablemanner, such as on a billboard that updates its display, a television,or any interactive display.

Warehouse 104 includes items to fulfill an order of user 106, such aszones 114 and queuing stations 116. Zones 114 include the items tofulfill the order. Zones 114 may be separated based on type, frequencyof use, or any suitable characteristic. In the illustrated embodiment,zones 114 are separated based on dry goods 114 a and frozen/cold storage114 b. In frozen/cold storage 114 b, interior rows 118 include storagefor fresh items and produce, and refrigerated and frozen items surroundthe perimeter of frozen/cold storage 114 b. Each zone 114 includes rows118 that hold the items. The arrangement of rows 118 provides asystematic method to retrieve items to fulfill the order, such as byitem type, frequency of use, or any suitable characteristic. In anembodiment, rows 118 allow traffic to move one-way as shown by arrows120. Therefore, items may be retrieved quickly and easily from rows 118by warehouse workers, robotic devices, or other suitable automatedequipment.

Queuing stations 116 allow attendants to store the retrieved items of anorder before user 106 picks up the order. Attendants fill orders basedon an arrangement of orders in a queue, the number of attendantsavailable to fill orders, the number of orders being processed, or anysuitable determinant to accomplish order fulfillment. For example, ifuser 106 schedules to pick up an order at 5:00 p.m., an attendantgathers the items in the order at 4:30 p.m. and stores the items atqueuing station 116 until user 106 arrives. Therefore, user 106 mayreceive the order without waiting for the attendant to gatherpre-ordered items. Queuing stations 116 may include different areas thatallow items in the order to be stored based on type. For example, if anorder includes ice cream and bread, queuing station 116 includes afreezer area to store the ice cream and a shelf to store the bread untiluser 106 picks up the order. If user 106 places an in-person order, theattendant may not use queuing station 116. Instead, the attendant maygather the items for the in-person order and immediately deliver theitems to user 106.

In operation, user 106 enters center 10. Reader 100 a detects thelocation, or presence, of user 106 in center 10 by reading identifier108 a first time when user 106 enters center 10. User 106 proceeds todelivery location 102 where reader 100 b reads identifier 108 a secondtime to detect the location, or presence, of user 106 at deliverylocation 102. An attendant provides the order to user 106. User 106exits center 10 at exit 110 and another user 106 backfills into emptydelivery location 102. Using this process, center 10 provides anefficient order fulfillment process that maximizes customer throughputand drastically reduces required square footage.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to center 10. Forexample, users 106 may not arrive in vehicles to pick up an order fromcenter 10. Instead, user 106 may walk into center 10. User 106 may haveidentifier 108 that allows reader 100 a to detect user 106 in center 10.When user 106 reaches a pick-up area of center 10, another reader 100 bdetects the location of user 106. Additionally, center 10 may includeany number of readers 100, delivery location 102, zones 114, queuingstations 116, and other elements within center 10. The arrangement ofentrance 101, queue 103, entry lane 105, exit lane 107, and exit 110 maybe configured in any suitable manner to facilitate efficient orderfulfillment. Any suitable logic comprising software, hardware, otherlogic, or any suitable combination of the preceding may perform thefunctions of any component in center 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates a controller 20 for center 10. In general, controller20 communicates with users 106 and center 10 to identify and arrangefulfillment of orders. In the illustrated embodiment, controller 20includes interfaces 200, 202, and 204, a processor 206, and a memory208.

In the illustrated embodiment, interface 200 communicates with endpoints218, interface 202 communicates with readers 100, and interface 204provides for communication with stations 122. Interfaces 200, 202, and204 represent any port or connection, real or virtual, including anysuitable hardware and/or software that allow communication to and fromcontroller 100. In an embodiment, interfaces 200, 202, and 204 are asingle interface or multiple interfaces depending on the particularconfiguration and design of controller 20.

Interfaces 200, 202, and 204 exchange information regarding orders,account information, or other communication through a network 216. Forexample, network 216 facilitates communication between endpoints 218 andcontroller 20 through interface 200. Network 216 includes a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), a local area network (LAN), a widearea network (WAN), any other public or private data network, a local,regional, or global communication network such as the Internet, anenterprise intranet, other suitable wireline or wireless communicationlink, or any combination of the preceding. Network 216 may include anycombination of gateways, routers, hubs, switches, access points, basestations, and any other hardware and/or software that implements anysuitable protocol or communication.

Endpoints 218 and stations 122 allow user 106 to place an order.Endpoints 218 send and receive data signals, audio signals, videosignals, any suitable type of information, or any combination of thepreceding. For example, endpoints 218 participate in Internet Protocol(IP) based communication. Endpoints 218 include, for example, atelephone, a wireless or cellular telephone, a computer supporting atelephony application, a computer with Internet access, a phone withInternet access, a fax machine, a wireless handheld device, or any otherendpoint suitable for communication. In an embodiment, user 106 usingendpoint 218 a visits the website associated with center 10 to registerfor service, place orders, and generally mange the account that user 106maintains with center 10.

Processor 206 controls the operation and administration of controller20. For example, processor 206 processes information and/or commandsreceived from interfaces 200, 202, and 204 and memory 208. Processor 206includes any hardware and/or software that operate to control andprocess information. For example, processor 206 is a microcontroller, aprogrammable logic device, a microprocessor, any suitable processingdevice, or any combination or number of the preceding. Additionally,controller 20 may operate to host a Web page on the Internet.

Memory 208 stores, either permanently or temporarily, data and otherinformation accessible by processor 206 and by interfaces 200, 202, and204. Memory 208 includes any one or a combination of volatile ornonvolatile local or remote devices suitable for storing information.For example, memory 208 includes random access memory (RAM), read onlymemory (ROM), magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, or anyother suitable information storage device or combination of thesedevices. Memory 208 stores information in one or more modules. Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment, memory 208 includes code 210,account information 212, orders 214, status information 220, andcommunication information 222. While memory 208 as illustrated includesparticular data elements, it should be understood that memory 208maintains any suitable information for use in operation of controller20.

Code 210 includes software, executable files, Web pages, graphical userinterfaces (GUIs) and/or appropriate logic modules capable when executedto control the operation of controller 20. For example, code 210includes Web pages for presentation to user 106 to manage registrationsand order requests. Code 210 also includes executable files capable ofprocessing order requests, in-person orders, user 106 identification,and other functions for center 10. Code 210 includes executable files togather inputs from readers 100, warehouse sensors, checkout equipment,barcode scanners, or other sensors to provide, organize, and report thestatus of center 10.

Account information 212 includes information related to each particularuser 106. For example, account information 212 includes accountbalances, user preferences, payment information, user satisfactionscores, or other information specific to the account of user 106. In anembodiment, account information 212 includes past transaction history224 of user 106. Past transaction history 224 includes past transactionsof user 106, purchasing habits of user 106, or any suitable informationfor analysis of information that allows controller 20 to targetcommunications 124 to the preferences of user 106.

Orders 214 include information about each order 214 that user 106places. Orders 214 include the items in an order, the time of orderpick-up, the location of order pick-up, or other information specific toan order placed by user 106. Orders 214 associate with accountinformation 212. In an embodiment, order 214 includes one or moreorders. If each order 214 has an associated time of pick-up, controller20 determines the current order 214 user 106 desires to receive. Orders214 may also include a recurring order 214 associated with user 106. Forexample, if user 106 orders eggs, milk, and bread every week, user 106may place order 214 once, and configure order 214 to be placed weekly.Therefore, controller 20 may retrieve recurring order 214 to fulfillwhen user 106 arrives at center 10 instead of receiving a scheduledorder 214 or receiving an in-person order 214.

Status information 220 includes information that indicates the presenceof user 106 at one of delivery locations 102 within center 10. Suchinformation includes a status on the number of orders 214, speed ofdelivery, inventory, or any suitable information. Status information 220updates as user 106 enters different delivery locations 102. Controller20 updates status information 220 using the input from readers 100.

Communication information 222 includes communications 124 thatcontroller 20 displays within center 10. In an embodiment, communicationinformation 222 provides timing of communications 124, sequence ofcommunications 124, or any suitable information. In another embodiment,communication information 222 includes past transaction history 224.

In operation, controller 20 receives an order request from user 106using endpoint 218. Controller may receive the request through interface200 or retrieve the request from a previous order 214. User 106 may alsoplace an in-person order at center 10 using station 122. If user 106places the order at station 122, controller 20 associates the in-personorder with account information 212. In an embodiment, user 106communicates with station 122 to establish an account and place anin-person order. Controller 20 stores the newly established accountinformation 212 in memory 208 and associates order 214 with accountinformation 212. As user 106 enters center 10, reader 100 a identifiesuser 106 and controller 20 retrieves account information 212 associatedwith the identified user 106. User 106 proceeds through center 10 untilreaching delivery location 102. At delivery location 102, reader 100 breads identifier 108 a second time to determine the location of user 106when the order is ready for delivery.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to controller 20. Forexample, memory 208 may include information in addition to code 210,account information 212, and order 214. As another example, controller20 may include additional interfaces to allow for communication betweenother elements within center 10. Controller 20 may operate or integratewith operations of other centers 10 to share account information 212,status information 220, communication information 222, or other suitableinformation. Additionally, any suitable logic, comprising software,hardware, other logic, or any suitable combination of the preceding inany component or location of center 10 may perform the functions ofcontroller 20.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart 30 for receiving order 214. Controller 20 receivesorder 214 at step 300. Controller 20 receives order 214 from anysuitable device, such as a cellular phone, a computer, or a fax machine.At step 302, controller 20 receives pick-up information of order 214.Pick-up information includes the pick-up location, the pick-up time, orany suitable information to allow order 214 to be fulfilled. In aparticular embodiment, user 106 places the order through a website thatallows an interactive choice of items and menus for selecting aparticular center 10 and pick-up time.

Controller 20 determines at step 304 whether user 106 is a previoususer. If user 106 is not a previous user, controller 20 receives accountinformation 212 at step 306 to establish an account for user 106 usingany suitable process, such as an attendant receiving account information212 from user 106, or user 106 entering account information 212 intostation 122. If user 106 is a previous user, controller 20 retrievesaccount information 212 of user 106 at step 308. At step 310, controller20 associates order 214 with account information 212 after receivingnewly established account information 212 or after retrieving accountinformation 212. Controller 20 stores order 214 at step 312. At step314, controller 20 processes payment for the order by completing acredit card transaction, a charge card transaction, a debit cardtransaction, a check transaction, or any suitable financial transactionto complete payment. Controller 20 delivers order 214 to warehouse 104at step 316 for fulfillment. Any suitable device displays order 214 incenter 10 using a print-out, screens in warehouse 104, or handheldscanners.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to flowchart 30. Forexample, any suitable component may perform any or all the stepsperformed by controller 20. As another example, flowchart 30 mayaccommodate multiple orders 214 by user 106. Controller 20 may determinewhether user 106 wants to place another order 214 after storing a firstorder 214 at step 312. Although described in a particular sequence,flowchart 30 may perform steps serially or in parallel in any order.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart 40 for processing and fulfilling order 214. Atstep 400, controller detects user 106 entering center 10. For example,reader 100 a reads identifier 108 when user 106 enters queue 103.Controller 20 determines whether it recognizes identifier 108 at step402. If controller 20 does not recognize identifier 108, user 106establishes an account at step 404. To establish an account, user 106provides a name, an address, credit card information, or other suitableinformation to allow controller 20 to create an account for user 106 andto allow center 10 to fulfill orders for user 106. User 106 mayestablish the account using station 122, giving the information to anattendant, transmitting the information to controller 20 using awireless device, or using any suitable technique.

When user 106 has established an account or controller 20 recognizesidentifier 108, controller 20 determines at step 406 whether user 106has placed order 214. If user 106 has not placed order 214, user 106places an in-person order 214 at step 408. User 106 places an in-personorder 214 at center 10 using station 122, giving an attendant order 214,transmitting order 214 to controller 20 using a wireless device, orusing any other suitable technique. User 106 enters an availabledelivery location 102. Controller 20 detects user 106 in deliverylocation 102 at step 410. In an embodiment, controller 20 detects user106 multiple times as user 106 moves through multiple delivery locations102.

Controller 20 presents communications 124 to user 106 at step 412. In anembodiment, past transaction history 224 associated with user 106affects the type of communications 124 displayed. Controller 20determines whether the delivery of order 214 has occurred. If user 106does not receive order 214 at step 414, controller 20 detects user 106in a particular delivery location 102. For example, user 106 may enterinto an available delivery location 102 closer to exit 110 beforereceiving order 214. If user 106 cannot enter into a closer deliverylocation 102, user 106 continues to wait for the delivery of order 214without moving to a different delivery location 102. If the order isdelivered at step 414, controller 20 updates the order history and themethod subsequently ends.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to flowchart 40. Forexample, any suitable component may perform any or all the stepsperformed by controller 20. As another example, flowchart 40 mayaccommodate multiple orders 214 from user 106. In addition to the stepsas described above, controller 20 may determine the current order 214 tofulfill of multiple orders 214 associated with an account. Althoughdescribed in a particular sequence, flowchart 40 may perform stepsserially or in parallel in any order.

Although the present invention has been described in severalembodiments, a myriad of changes, variations, alterations,transformations, and modifications may be suggested to one skilled inthe art, and it is intended that the present invention encompass suchchanges, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications asfall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for fulfilling an order, comprising:receiving an order from a user for a plurality of items, as a user'sorder to be provided at a fulfillment center; associating the user'sorder with a mobile device; detecting, at the fulfillment center with afirst reader device, the presence of an identifier associated with themobile device within a defined distance to an entrance to thefulfillment center; initiating, by a processor, collection of at least afirst portion of the plurality of items for the user's order in responseto detection of the identifier within the defined distance to theentrance to the fulfillment center by the first reader device;detecting, at the fulfillment center with a second reader device, thepresence of the identifier proximate a first delivery location of aplurality of locations situated along a drive through lane at thefulfillment center; retrieving, by the processor, past transactionhistory at the fulfillment center relating to the user associated withthe identifier detected by the second reader device, wherein the pasttransaction history is retrieved after detecting the presence of theidentifier at the first delivery location at the fulfillment center; inresponse to detecting the presence of the identifier at the firstdelivery location and prior to fulfilling the order for the plurality ofitems, presenting advertisements to the user associated with theidentifier detected by the second reader device at the first deliverylocation of the plurality of locations along the drive through lane atthe fulfillment center based on the retrieved past transaction historyof the user at the fulfillment center, wherein the plurality of itemsare ready for delivery to the user while the user is at the firstdelivery location; and initiating delivery of the plurality of items toa vehicle associated with the user at one of the plurality of locations.2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: after detecting thepresence of the identifier at the entrance to the fulfillment center,detecting the presence of the identifier at a delivery queuing locationsituated along the drive through lane at a point distinct from the firstdelivery location; and presenting advertisements to the user with adisplay device at the delivery queuing location along the drive throughlane based on the retrieved past transaction history of the user at thefulfillment center.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprisingsupplying the user with a scheduled pick-up date and time for the userto be at the fulfillment center.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: initiating, before detecting the presence of the identifierat the entrance to the fulfillment center, collection of at least asecond portion of the plurality of the items of the order.
 5. The methodof claim 4, wherein the at least a second portion the plurality of itemscollected before detecting the presence of the identifier at theentrance to the fulfillment center comprises of items that are neitherrefrigerated nor frozen.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting thepresence of the identifier at the entrance to the fulfillment centercomprises reading a radio frequency tag associated with a vehicleassociated with the user.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least oneof the reader devices comprises of a radio frequency identificationreader.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the readerdevices comprises of a Bluetooth compatible reader.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the reader devices comprises an opticalidentification reader.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least oneof the reader devices comprises a camera.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein the reader device reads a license plate of a vehicle associatedwith the user.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving an order fora plurality of items comprises receiving a scheduled order from the userbefore the user arrives at a fulfillment center.
 13. The method of claim1, wherein receiving an order for a plurality of items comprisesretrieving a recurring order associated with the user.
 14. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the user moves through the fulfillment center in avehicle and is not required to leave the vehicle before departing thefulfillment center.
 15. The method of claim 1, further comprisingstoring the collected at least a first portion of the plurality of itemsin a queuing station to await delivery to the user.
 16. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the delivery locations are parallel to the drivethrough lane.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivery locationsare perpendicular to the drive through lane.
 18. The method of claim 1,wherein the mobile device associated with the user is a vehicle.
 19. Amethod for fulfilling an order, comprising: detecting, at a fulfillmentcenter with a first reader device, the presence of an identifierassociated with a mobile device within a defined distance to an entranceto the fulfillment center, wherein the identifier is associated with auser; receiving an order from a user for a plurality of items, as auser's order; associating the user's order with the mobile device;initiating, by a processor, collection of at least a first portion ofthe plurality of items for the user's order in response to receiving theorder from the user; detecting, at the fulfillment center with a secondreader device, the presence of the identifier proximate a first deliverylocation of a plurality of locations situated along a drive through laneat the fulfillment center; retrieving, by the processor, pasttransaction history at the fulfillment center relating to the userassociated with the identifier detected by the second reader device,wherein the past transaction history is retrieved after detecting thepresence of the identifier at the first delivery location at thefulfillment center; in response to detecting the presence of theidentifier at the first delivery location and prior to fulfilling theorder for the plurality of items, presenting advertisements to the userassociated with the identifier detected by the second reader device atthe first delivery location of the plurality of locations along thedrive through lane at the fulfillment center based on the retrieved pasttransaction history of the user at the fulfillment center, wherein theplurality of items are ready for delivery to the vehicle while thevehicle is at the first delivery location; and initiating delivery ofthe plurality of items to the vehicle at one of the plurality oflocations.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the first reader deviceand the second reader device are separate devices.
 21. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the first reader device and the second reader deviceare separate devices.